ARS | Publication request: Review of the continental Oriental species of Lilioceris Reitter (Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) closely related to Lilioceris impressa (F.)

Submitted to: ZooKeys
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 20, 2011
Publication Date: July 10, 2010
Citation: Tishechkin, A., Konstantinov, A.S., Bista, S., Pemberton, R.W., Center, T.D. 2010. Review of the continental Oriental species of Lilioceris Reitter (Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) closely related to Lilioceris impressa (F.). ZooKeys. 103:63-83.

Interpretive Summary: Leaf beetles are among the most important insects for U.S. agriculture. Many are serious pests, feeding on crops and destroying valuable plants; others are important biological control agents that can be used to control unwanted weeds. This work diagnoses 9 species of leaf beetles, one of which is a potential biological control agent of air potato (an invasive weed of Asian origin), and provides characters, illustrations, and a key for their identification. This study will be useful to biological control workers, taxonomists, ecologists, and anyone interested in phytophagous beetles.

Technical Abstract: Criocerine leaf beetles found in Nepal feeding on Dioscorea bulbifera (L.), an exotic, invasive weed of Asian origin, were identified as Lilioceris cheni Gressitt & Kimoto based on a synopsis of the Oriental Lilioceris species and review of the Lilioceris impressa species group. All the species included in the group are diagnosed and illustrated, a key for their identification is provided. Species status of Lilioceris thibetana Pic, 1916 is resurrected. The following new synonyms are proposed: L. coomani (Pic, 1928) = L. egena (Weise, 1922), L. subcostata (Pic, 1921), L. laticornis (Gressit, 1942), L. inflaticornis Gressit & Kimoto, 1961, and L. maai Gressit & Kimoto, 1961 = impressa Fabricius, 1787.